Language and Healthcare Outcomes

Twentyeight Health is excited to officially launch our services in Spanish as of November 2021! Our users can now view our website, fill out an intake form, speak & message with a doctor, and speak with our customer service team in their preferred language. This is an important step in furthering our mission to improve access to sexual and reproductive healthcare since more than 41 million people in the U.S. speak Spanish at home, according to the Census’ 2019 American Community Survey.

What barriers do Spanish-speakers in the U.S. healthcare system face?
‍If someone isn’t able to speak the same language as their provider, important medical information may be misunderstood and lead to dissatisfactory service or even dangerous health outcomes. It can also be difficult to build trust and discuss intimate topics if the patient and provider don’t understand one another.

A Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report found that “Spanish-speaking Latin[x] adults are more likely to worry about medical bills and are less likely to receive outpatient care and prescriptions than English-speaking Latin[x adults]”.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that insurers and health care providers provide translation and interpretation services for people with limited English skills, but many hospitals and clinics don’t provide adequate services due to cost and the time it takes for interpretation.

For many immigrants, the U.S. healthcare system may be quite different than their own country and confusing to navigate (as it is for many Americans as well). For Spanish-speakers who are undocumented, there may also be fear that seeking medical care could expose and threaten their immigration status.

How can telemedicine help?
‍Telemedicine can provide a solution to many of these barriers. If someone doesn’t have access to care in their geographic area or can’t find a provider who speaks their language, they can access remote care from the comfort of their home. Telemedicine also provides more anonymity and privacy for the patient. If someone doesn’t have insurance, telemedicine can help provide affordable out of pocket options.

For more information visit: The U.S. National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

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